Annual Accounts, Finance

Annual Governance & Accountability Returns (AGAR)

Annual Accounts, Finance & Annual Governance & Accountability Returns (AGAR)

The Parish Council estimates its budget for the ensuing year at the November meeting. This includes repairs and maintenance together with administration costs. It is finally agreed and approved at the January meeting. The request for this funding (the precept) is submitted (by 31st January) to Dorset Council to be included in the Annual Community Charge.

The precept is paid by Dorset Council in two installments - one in April and the second in September of each year.

The end of the financial year for our accounts is 31st March. The Annual Accounts are produced, internally audited and then approved and signed at the Annual Parish Council Meeting in May.

At the same May meeting the Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) is approved and signed by the clerk and Chairman. This is then submitted to the government's appointed external auditors before 30th June. A public notice of the above submissions is then displayed for a period as required (see below)

As the Parish Council's income or expenditure does not exceed £25,000 a Certificate of Exemption is sent to the External Auditors as we wish to certify ourselves exempt from a limited assurance review under section 9 of the Local Audit (Smaller Authorities) Regulations 2015.

(The accounts & AGAR returns from 2020-21 are shown below)

Year ending 31st March 2026 :

The precept was increased this year (2026-2027) to £10,500.00 as approved at our January 2026 meeting.

The end of the financial year for our accounts was 31st March 2026 The Annual Accounts were produced and internally audited and approved at the Annual Parish Council Meeting in 11th May 2026. (minute item 7.g.3)

The Annual Accounts & Annual Governance Returns (AGAR) are shown in full below. Please scroll further down for previous years.

As the Parish Council's income or expenditure does not exceed £25,000 a Certificate of Exemption is sent to the External Auditors (BDO LLP - see below for address / contact) as we wish to certify ourselves exempt from a limited assurance review under section 9 of the Local Audit (Smaller Authorities) Regulations 2015.

The AGAR was submitted to the external auditor on June 2026. A public notice of the above was displayed as required (see below)

At 4/6/2026 - being completed

Year ending 31st March 2025 :

The precept was increased this year (2025-2026) to £7750.00 from £7350.00 as approved at our January 2025 meeting.

The Annual Accounts were produced and internally audited and approved at the Annual Parish Council Meeting in May 2025. The end of the financial year for these accounts is 31st March 2025.

The Annual Accounts & Annual Governance Returns (AGAR) are shown in full below. Please scroll further down for previous years.

The AGAR was submitted to the external auditor on 5th June 2025. A public notice of the above was displayed as required.

The AGAR return was approved by the external auditor with no comments made (see copy email below)

Year ending 31st March 2024 :

NB : AGAR forms were emailed to the external auditor (BDO LLP) on 3/6/2024

Year ending 31st March 2023 :

Item 6 on page 5 above * : The internal audit was properly completed but submitted too late. The 2021/22 external auditor PKF Littlejohn completed and approved the AGAR but commented : The smaller authority has not arranged for an independent internal auditor to review the internal controls and give their conclusion in the Annual Internal Audit report. It must disclose this by answering “No” to assertion 6 of the Annual Governance Statement on the 2022/23 AGAR.

NB : The internal audit has been completed before the Annual Meeting held on 22nd May 2023 and we now have a proper internal auditing regime in place. The new external auditors are satisfied with the recent AGAR submission and do not rquire any further information or action from us.